Erika Heald is the host of the weekly #ContentChat LinkedIn Live video podcast for content marketers, held Mondays at noon Pacific. As a B2B marketing consultant, she helps organizations define and execute content marketing strategies that drive business and professional growth. As a creator, and gluten-free blogger helping people discover gut-friendly farm-to-table food. She frequently speaks at B2B marketing industry events on employee brand advocacy, content strategy, customer experience, AI readiness, and social media topics. You can find her on her blogs erikaheald.com and erikasglutenfreekitchen.com.
The #ContentChat Bulletin: Balancing AI’s Promise with People’s Potential
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One of the recurring themes I heard at MAICON last week was presented in Paul Roetzer's opening remarks: “Within 1–2 years, AI model advancements and agent capabilities will force a radical transformation of talent, teams, and organizational structures. Leaders face conflicting pressures to take a responsible, human-centered approach to AI adoption, while leveraging AI for near-term gains in efficiency, productivity, creativity, and profitability.” While many organizations have focused on the productivity and efficiencies they can gain from widespread AI adoption, the critical human element has often been overlooked. AI is getting better each day at so many things. But it's still not a living being with life experiences and creativity. What it *is* exceptional at doing, however, is helping humans with the work behind our creative work. The behind the scenes activities that help us create and share our creative work. That was the topic of the first session I moderated, where Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter and content entrepreneur Robert Riggs shared how AI has allowed him to do the kind of work on his own that used to require him to work under the constraints of a major broadcasting organization. Amongst the dozens of creative support use cases he shared with us, these six activities, in support of his storytelling, particularly stood out:
Each of these activities helps Robert fast forward through time-intensive to do's so that he can spend more of his time on his actual storytelling. He uses AI to gain the freedom to be able to tell the stories he wants—in the way he wants to tell them—without needed a big budget and external producers. Like Robert, most content teams have so many more stories they want to tell than they have time to develop. How could you use AI to free up your time by teaching it how to do some of your administrative tasks? And what would doing so allow your people to create? I know I have a HUGE list of ideas for automation of everyday tasks that I can enable thanks to the content governance I already have in place. I can't wait to do more with the content I love to create, and spend less time on the pesky details that don't need a human touch. As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing." Coming Up on #ContentChatContent Chat is my weekly LinkedIn Live video chat focused on sharing expertise and ideas amongst the content marketing community. Join the conversation on Mondays at noon Pacific / 3 p.m. Eastern. RSVP for our upcoming conversations by clicking the chat date below to get a reminder and to access the chat. We are on a short hiatus due to IRL challenges that have popped up but will be back soon! Content Marketing + Related Jobs
Send Us Your Content Jobs!If you have a content marketing contract position, full-time job, or freelancer opportunity, reply to this email and let us know. We are always happy to share jobs with the community at no cost. Upcoming Webinar: How to Use AI to Personalize Customer Marketing at ScaleWednesday, October 22 • 9:00-10:00 AM PT / 12:00–1:00 PM ET AI can help you personalize customer content at scale—but only if you give it the right foundation. In this hands-on session, I'll show you how to set your AI tools up for success with brand voice charts, modular content templates, and structured documentation. You’ll learn how to: Whether you’re a team of one or leading a full content department, you’ll leave with practical frameworks and checklists to help you scale your customer marketing—without losing your voice or your mind. Reserve your spot in the AI for Writers Bootcamp and join me for this can’t-miss session. Until next time, stay safe and be well! Cheers, Erika |
The #ContentChat Bulletin
Erika Heald is the host of the weekly #ContentChat LinkedIn Live video podcast for content marketers, held Mondays at noon Pacific. As a B2B marketing consultant, she helps organizations define and execute content marketing strategies that drive business and professional growth. As a creator, and gluten-free blogger helping people discover gut-friendly farm-to-table food. She frequently speaks at B2B marketing industry events on employee brand advocacy, content strategy, customer experience, AI readiness, and social media topics. You can find her on her blogs erikaheald.com and erikasglutenfreekitchen.com.
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